PINTS WEST - Left Handed Giant bringing brewing back to the former Courage site - No. 123 - CAMRA Bristol
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Free
No. 123
Autumn
2019
PINTS WEST Multi-award-winning magazine of the Bristol & District
and Bath & Borders branches of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale
Left Handed Giant
bringing brewing back to
the former Courage site
PI T
Contents Real Heritage Pubs of the South West
Book launch at the King’s Head, Bristol
Page 9 BAD Ladies
Page 28 BADRAG (rare ales group)
NTS WES
Page 18 Bath & Borders pub news
Page 20 Bath riverside pubs
O
Page 24 Bristol Pubs Group
n August 1st Real Heritage Pubs of the South West published the editorial team busily
Page 39 CAMRA diaries & contacts by CAMRA Books was officially launched at the King’s Head, autographed.
Page 30 CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2020 Victoria Street, Bristol. The pub was filled to capacity for
Page 32 Champion Beer of Britain 2019 the occasion with Katie Button (managing editor of CAMRA Books), The book is the ninth and
Page 13 Chandos Road pubs the book’s editorial team of Paul Ainsworth, Russ Durbridge and penultimate guide in a series
The multi-award-winning magazine of the Bristol & District
Page 8 Cider Michael Slaughter, plus Geoff Brandwood, editor of Britain’s Best that covers all of Great Britain;
branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, plus the Bath Page 34 Devon and Cornwall Heritage Pubs, all in attendance. work on the final one, the South
& Borders branch Page 36 English sour beer East, has already started while
Brought to you entirely by unpaid volunteers Page 37 Going for a beer in Budapest the other guides cover East
Ten thousand copies of Pints West are distributed free to Page 3 Heritage Pubs book launch Anglia, Scotland, Wales, London,
hundreds of pubs in and around the cities of Bristol and Bath The Midlands, Yorkshire, The
Page 5 LHG brewpub now open (cover photo)
North East, and The North
... and beyond Page 14 Shine on Bristol-Bath railway path pubs West. These compliment the
Also available on-line at www.bristolcamra.org.uk Page 31 South Gloucestershire pubs by bus Britain’s Best Real Heritage
Page 22 Weston-super-Mare news Pubs book, whilst widening the
Published by the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign Page 32 Volunteer Tavern brewery planned goalposts and describing not
for Real Ale, August 2019 © only the regions’ pubs that are
Editor: Steve Plumridge (steve.plumridge.pintswest@gmail.com) Brewery news: of national importance but those
Page 16 Arbor Ales Page 29 Glede of regional or some regional
Design & Layout by: Steve Plumridge
Page 7 Bath Ales Page 27 Good Chemistry interest. To be placed on the
Next edition: end of November 2019 (probably)
Page 19 Bath Brew House Page 17 GWB ‘National Inventory’ (NI), which
Printed by: JamPrint
Page 17 Brewhouse & Kitchen Page 25 Incredible is very much the premier league
Subscriptions: to be put on a mailing list to receive Pints Wests (for Page 4 Bristol Beer Factory Page 5 Left Handed Giant of pub heritage, a pub must
UK addresses) send ten standard (not large) 1st class stamps to the Page 23 Butcombe Page 33 Moor Beer have outstanding attributes;
editor Page 16 New Bristol either a high degree of internal
Page 27 Cocksure Left to right: Geoff Brandwood, Paul Ainsworth, Russ Durbridge
CAMRA Good Beer Guide: suggestions for future entries, and intactness, or some truly
Page 11 Dawkins Ales Page 12 Wiper & True and Michael Slaughter (photo by Katie Button)
exceptional features or rooms.
comments on existing ones, can be made to our GBG coordinator, Page 23 Epic Beers Page 33 Zerodegrees More importantly there was a good turnout of members from Bristol Less is expected of pubs that
Martin Gray: marting1@sky.com & District and Bath & Borders branches of CAMRA, as well as people make the ‘Regional Inventory’
If you have any pub updates: please enter them via whatpub.com or and so much more... coming from as far afield as London, Cardiff and Brighton. One fool (RI) although they must retain
email details to whatpub@camrabristol.org.uk even made it all the way from west of Penzance but enough about me! a significant amount of genuine
Further information on all aspects of CAMRA can be had from Ray historic features. Pubs of ‘Some
Holmes on 0117 9605357 (home) The King’s Head which is the jewel in the crown of Bristol heritage Regional Importance’ (SRI)
Trading Standards: for problems such as consistent short measures, pubs was perfect for the occasion and did us proud with four or five will have suffered even more
no price lists, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline – they will excellent hand-pulled ales on sale. To enter is to step back in time to change but still have retained
assess your problem and pass it to Trading Standards if considered an era of beautiful craftsmanship and the long narrow layout of the rooms or features worthy of
appropriate: 03454 040506 (Mon-Fri 9-5). See pub almost has the feel of the buffet carriage of the Orient Express. acknowledgement.
The magnificent marble-shelved bar-back is the second oldest in the
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/
country, dating from 1865 and has a series of high-level arches with Sadly, we have to finish on a
report-to-trading-standards ornate lettering advertising various drinks and other offerings. The sobering thought. When CAMRA
back half of the pub comprises the wonderful (and named because of was established in 1971 beer was
LETTERS: please email correspondence to the editor at
10
its shape) “Tramcar Bar” which forms a large snug. This is given away generally rubbish (or shall we
steve.plumridge.pintswest@gmail.com as a later addition, probably early 1900’s, as the bar-back continues say not of the quality it used to be). Our successful campaign now means
or post it to Pints West Editor, Steve Plumridge,
Garden Flat, 6 Royal York Villas, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JR
great reasons down the side of it. Remaining but no longer used in the Tramcar Bar
are a number of bell pushes which would have been used to summon
that real draught beer has possibly never been better in any terms you
care to name, be it quality, availability or choice. Back in 1971 my guess
ADVERTISE: to find out about advertising in Pints West, please email to join CAMRA table service. Prior to its arrival the pub was almost certainly a “stand
up” drinking establishment with the counter running the length of the
is that more than half of the then pub stock of some 60,000 would have
been of what today we would call “heritage” standard. Presently in the
steve.plumridge.pintswest@gmail.com building. At the end of the of the pub are possibly the cosiest toilets six counties of the South West we only have just over 100 pubs of that
1 CAMPAIGN 2 BEER EXPERT found in any boozer anywhere and note the “Ladies only” glass door standard. Luckily the resurrection of beer quality was, if not easy, at least
Become a
for great beer, cider and perry panel. possible; one genie that could be put back in the bottle (pun intended).
CONTACTS: for further contact details and diaries see inside back page Once the interior of an unspoilt traditional pub has been destroyed it is
3 BEER FESTIVALS 4 GET INVOLVED
Enjoy CAMRA
Views expressed in Pints West are those of the individual Paul Ainsworth gave a talk about the what was involved in compiling gone for good! Please use the regional and national guides to discover
authors and not necessarily supported by CAMRA in front of or behind the bar
and make new friends the guide which covers Bristol/Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and visit these rare and precious treasures. The more custom we give
Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. This was followed by Geoff Brandwood them the more viable they are! May the King’s Head in Bristol and the
Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by CAMRA Find the
5 YOUR LOCAL 6 BEST discussing CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Project and commenting on what rest of the pubs in the guide remain as they are for generations to come.
Save
PUBS makes a
Thanks to this issue’s contributors: IN BRITAIN
Get great
heritage pub as The guide to these
Bianca Ambrose Martin Gray Russ Durbridge DISCOVER
Dave Graham
Dave Weir
Michael Bertagne
Mike Evans
Stephen Edmonds
Steve Hunt 7 VALUE
MONEY
FOR 8 pub heritage and the
great outdoors
well as pointing
out some of the
outstanding
very special pubs
is available online
from the CAMRA
Duncan Shine Mike Jackson Steve Plumridge
9 HEALTH BENEFITS 10 HAVE YOUR SAY
Enjoy great
Eddie Taberner Neil Ravenscroft Tim Nickolls features of our shop at shop1.
Henry Davies Nigel Morris Tim Webb (really!) hosting hostelry. camra.org.uk (type
Ian Beckey Paul Gregory Vince Murray Thereafter in “heritage pubs”
John Farmer Pete Bridle the guide was and press Search) at
Laurie Gibney
Lesly Huxley
Pete Taberner
Phil Cummings What’s yours? officially on sale
with somewhere
just £5.99. Britain’s
Best Real Heritage
Malcolm Fisher Richard Brooks between 60 Pubs is £9.99 and
Martin Ansell Robin E Wild Discover your reason
and join the campaign today: and 80 copies prices vary on the
Martin Campling Roy Sanders
being snapped other regional
www.camra.org.uk/10reasons up while guides.
Russ Durbridge
Photo by Tim Belsten Photo by Tim Belsten
2 PINTS WEST PINTS WEST 3
Bristol Beer Factory’s new Origin Series Left Handed Giant brewpub now open
Six cask beers, three stages
A
t the time of writing this article (mid-August), the iconic Left
handed Giant (LHG) brewpub in the centre of Bristol has now
T
his autumn sees the launch of the Bristol Beer Factory’s new Origin been open for approximately two months and the first beer
Series which comprises six cask beers coming in three stages. has just been brewed in the new 15-barrel brewery; maintaining a
This new seasonal series takes inspiration from the origin stories tradition of over 250 years of brewing on the site. Located in the
and connections between some of the world’s most exciting hops as the Compressor Building of the former Courage brewery that now forms
brewery seeks to “show the joy, art and science of hop usage in modern part of the Finzels Reach development, overlooking the floating
cask beer in three distinct stages: Derivation, Evolution, Celebration.” harbour with views across to Castle Park and the preserved ruins of St
The Bristol Beer Factory (BBF) believes that it is a beautiful hoppy world Peter’s Church, this project was funded by an ambitious crowdfunding
out there and they wanted to deeply explore and showcase it. campaign last year which raised over £1 million. The brewpub will
operate in tandem with their existing 15-barrel brewery and tap room
The stages and the beers of the Origin Series are below, explained located at Wadehurst Industrial Park in St Philips and alongside Small
largely in their own words. Bar on King Street. pop-up event at the St Philips brewery back in 2016, as well as proving
popular with beer-drinkers at various events across the South West.
Stage 1 – Derivation Stage – Two beers derived from the same hop In order to support the transition from a mobile street-food operation
(Cascade), grown 5,200 miles apart. to a permanent restaurant, Mission Pizza raised the funds necessary
Scene from a previous Factoberfest to install a fully equipped wood-fired pizza kitchen in the brewpub via
The two Derivation Stage beers are the embodiment of how climate
affects the character of hops. First released in 1972, Cascade has become Stage 3 – Celebration Stage – Two beers that each utilise hops and their own successful crowdfunding campaign earlier this year.
the most popular hop variety in craft brewing, making up 10% of all hops yeast produced in a single nation.
Having first seen the potential of the Compressor Building at Finzels
grown in the US. The hop is grown in both the US and the UK and the The Celebration Stage represents the culmination of the Origin Series, Reach over two years ago, finally opening the doors of their iconic
difference in flavour profile between these two derivations is marked. where BBF will finish this hop-focused journey by celebrating what can brewpub to the public came with a mixture of extreme pride and a
BBF have allowed each hop to shine in what they consider to be its most be achieved by augmenting great hops from Belgium and the US with the sense of relief for LHG – and the response so far has been very positive.
appropriate style: perfect accompanying yeast and/or malt from the same producer country. So, a big “well done” to all concerned. The current opening hours are
Beer 1 – Rebel Rebel. Cascade grown in the UK has been used as the Keep an eye out for a 5.2% US IPA and a sweet 4.6% mini Belgian Tripel. 12-12 seven days a week, with Mission Pizza providing food service all
single hop to produce a golden-coloured English pale ale where the hop week too (12-3 and 5-10 during the week and 12-10 at the weekend).
Other beer news
brings bitterness and mostly spicy and floral notes with a touch of citrus. Counterslip Coffee, based in the courtyard, serve coffee and pastries
from Monday to Saturday (8-3). Going forward, look out for brewery
Beer 2 – Watchtower. Cascade grown in the US has been used as the tours and other events.
single hop to produce an uber-pale American pale ale where the hop Independence reached the final judging for Champion Beer of Britain at
displays major floral notes and a citrus kick often described as closest to the Great British Beer Festival for the second year in succession. It didn’t
grapefruit. win, but the brewery was heartened to see such continued recognition for
their flagship American pale ale. Two beers that debuted in 2019 (Delray
Stage 2 – Evolution Stage – Two dual-hop beers featuring one base In keeping with its heritage, the interior of the renovated building has
Beach and Entourage) have earned repeat brewing and will both return
hop and a second hop that has ‘evolved’ directly from it. been brought back to life with exposed stonework and contemporary
during the life of this issue of Pints West. Delray is a particularly juicy and
industrial décor. There is plenty of seating available inside on the
The two Evolution Stage beers show two deeply related hops working tropical beer that remains crystal clear on cask, brewed with Azacca, Citra,
ground floor, mainly at high wooden tables, with additional seating
in harmony. In each case BBF have chosen a classic or intriguing base Bitter Gold and Simcoe hops. Entourage is a paean to the joy that is the
available on the first floor together with the toilets (disabled toilet on
hop and paired it with a second hop that has ‘evolved’ directly from it. Citra hop in the shape of a single-hop 5.0% Citra IPA.
the ground floor) and an event space (with its own bar) on the second
The two different hops in each beer share characteristics but where the floor. Entrance to the building is via a covered courtyard featuring
‘evolved’ hop has heightened and additional characteristics.
Beer 3 – Legacy. Czech Saaz is the legendary centrepiece hop for Czech
Factoberfest more seating at wooden tables and open views across the floating
harbour. Built as mezzanine levels, the first and second floors feel
lagers with its unique, mild earthy and herbal character. When bred in Bristol Beer Factory and the Tobacco factory wish to invite everyone to connected to the rest of the space, with open views from each floor to
New Zealand, the ensuing hop became known as Motueka and brings their independent party of a beer festival: Factoberfest 2019! This year’s the bar and brewery below, and waterside views.
lemon-lime, sweet, resinous and citrus flavours to the beer. They come festival takes place once again at the Tobacco Factory in North Street,
Bedminster, commencing at 5pm on Friday 6th September and running Having entered through the courtyard, the bar is on your left and
together in this Czech / New Zealand pale ale. separated from the brewery located behind it via tall glass panels.
until the evening of Sunday 8th September. The event will include live
Beer 4 – Wild Ones. This beer is pushing right at the forefront of hops, music, DJs, food trucks and a total of 70 beers on draught with 20 from There are nine serving tanks (six of 500 litres and three of 1,000 litres)
hop evolution and cask inventiveness. Almost every hop in the world is Bristol, 40 of the “best of the rest of the UK” and 10 from elsewhere across for serving tank-fresh LHG beer from their core range. The bar features
derived from hops originally grown in Europe. Not so with the hops in Europe. This includes 24 cask beers featuring Wylam (Newcastle), Burn- 30 taps for pouring both LHG and guest beers, with the beers listed on
this beer; Neomexicanus is a genetically distinct sub-species of the hop ing Sky (Sussex), Tiley’s (Gloucestershire), brand new Bristol Beer Factory chalk boards above the bar, identifying the type of beer (pale, dark/
stout, sour, lager, etc) and method of dispense (tank, keg, key-keg, Over at the St Philips site, LHG have recently taken over Unit 3 on
family that has been growing wild in the mountains of New Mexico for specials and many more. Plus a range of international-standard keg beers
etc). Tank beer has been trialled successfully at Small Bar using two Wadehurst Industrial Park and relocated their cold store, barrel store
the past million years (give or take). BBF have brewed a 4.2% uber-pale featuring Chorlton sours, Track (Manchester) pales, Left Handed Giant
500-litre tanks, with the serving tanks effectively being large key-kegs and tap room into it from Unit 8, with the original 15-barrel brewery
ale featuring the most sought-after modern New Mexico hop, Sabro. It (Bristol) IPAs, Northern Monk (Manchester) magic, Troubador (Belgium)
based on the “bag-in-box” concept. In due course, two cask lines will remaining in Unit 9. The increased size of Unit 3 will enable the storage
has been paired with some wild hops, unnamed as grown wild in New trouble, Oedipus (Amsterdam) issues and more. Plus a six-tap lager bar
be brought into service at the brewpub, one of which will dispense a of up to 150 wooden barrels, for barrel-ageing and blending, and a
Mexico and not commercially cultivated. They come together in this new and a five-tap cider bar.
bespoke LHG cask beer and much bigger tap room.
and exciting beer, Wild Ones. Richard Brooks
the other a rotating guest
Finally, following the
beer. Beers are served in
update on the International
measures of a third, half
Rainbow Project in the last
or two-thirds of a pint and
edition of Pints West, LHG
payment is by card only.
have recently brewed their
The Bar Code
by Eddie Taberner
The food offering at the “blue” collaboration beer
brewpub is provided by with Alesong brewery from
Mission Pizza, locally the US. The seven colour-
renowned for serving their coded UK/US collaboration
sourdough-based vegetarian beers, and an additional
and vegan pizzas from a collaboration featuring the
1950s-style teardrop caravan seven UK breweries, will
incorporating a wood-fired be launched at Small Bar
oven. Priding themselves on Friday 20th September,
on their Neapolitan-style during Bristol Beer Week,
dough and taking inspiration and other select locations
from the New York pizza across the UK.
scene, they have been Dave Graham
closely associated with (Photos by Steve Plumridge and
LHG following their first Dave Graham)
4 PINTS WEST PINTS WEST 5
News from the Hare Brewery (Bath Ales)
Profile of Georgina Young
G eorge, as she likes to be known, is engaging and easy to talk to,
and was happy to give me an insight into her illustrious career. As
mentioned in the previous issue of our again-award-winning publication,
Now armed with the theoretical,
physical and chemical knowledge
necessary to be a super-brewer George
she is now head brewer overseeing all aspects of the brewing and started her first stint with Fuller’s as a
packaging operations of Bath Ales’ brands, reporting to St Austell and production brewer from 1999 to 2006
Bath Ales brewing director, Roger Ryman. Since May, George was where she worked in all areas of the
commuting from London, where she lived with her husband and two brewery. When children came along,
children who are still at school, but at the time of writing she has been George took a break from the industry
lucky enough to find, and move into, a new family home in Bath. and became a secondary school
teacher for five years, specialising in
After her own schooling, George studied Biochemistry at King’s College
physics, chemistry and biology. After
London then, like so many of today’s brewers, discovered she liked
the hard graft of those days it must
spending time in pubs and drinking beer as much as, if not more than,
have seemed like a good idea to return
studying. The next logical step was to learn the theory and practice of
to Fuller’s, where she was to stay for
brewing at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and after completing
another six years, achieving the post
the course she graduated with a Masters in Brewing and Distilling. Her
of head brewer for the last two. When the company was bought out by
first steps in the industry proper were taken with the Smiles Brewing
Asahi, George thought that it was a good time to move on and find new
Company after their move from Bells Diner in Montpelier to what is now
challenges, but she has many good words to say about her time there.
the Bristol Yard in Colston Street. It was very much a period of paying
her dues doing the physical labour in a non-user-friendly brewhouse George is excited to be at Bath Ales, both from the challenge of the new
during 1992 and 1993. In order to find out about all the other aspects of environment, and also because she was born and grew up in the South
brewing, and its constituent components and processes, George then West and has many fond memories of living here. Looking forward she
worked for six years at Brewing Research International in Surrey, where thinks that there will be a lot of consolidation in the brewing industry,
she ran the pilot brewery assessing new hop and barley varieties, and much more than we are seeing now. Like most brewers today, she thinks
equipment, and assisted organisations creating new products that cask ale is sold too cheaply, especially if you want to use top-quality
ingredients, and although there is a decline in cask ale sales, she thinks
it is only temporary. When asked about favourite brewers she is too
Hare Fest diplomatic to name any but says there are many good ones, but does
say that a good best bitter is her favourite style. In terms of what it feels
W ell I took my own advice and cycled to Hare Brewery like to be a woman in a predominately male preserve, she says that she
along the Bristol Bath cycleway – and got soaked! has always been accepted and if you pull your weight you will progress,
It was not the ideal day to hold a, mainly, outdoor festival which is illustrated not only by her, but by today’s steady increase of
but Bath Ales made the best of it. Sixteen beers and a cider brewsters (today’s hip term for women brewers). The arrival of George is
were on offer, which included all the Bath Ales core range a big coup for Bath Ales/St Austell, and we wish her all the best in her new
with a seasonal and a special; a Bath Ales collaboration ale endeavours.
with Wells & Co (ex-Charles Wells); and five guests from St
Austell. An old favourite of mine, Rare Hare, was good to
see and even better to taste, and was selling very quickly. Beers and awards
S
I enjoyed the Copy Cat Pale Ale collaboration ale, as well ulis, Bath Ales’ lager, continues to enjoy strong sales as did Summer’s Hare, the
as the rejuvenated Cubic and Monterey, both previously summer seasonal which had been tweaked for this year by the addition of Chinook
Beerd and now Bath Ales. The St Austell contribution and Waimea New Zealand hops. Monterey, with its Californian summer themed pump
included a gooseberry and lime pale ale, a hibiscus flower clip and matching glass, is also doing well. Forest Hare, the copper coloured, and
infused ale and a Salted Cara-Mild! Big Job was the berry fruit aroma autumn ale should be in the usual venues as you read this, having
heavyweight on the block. A lot of the Hare Brewery staff also been tweaked with NZ hops in the blend, this time Pacific Jade and Motueka. As
were there helping behind the bar, including George and ever, bottled Gem is flying off the shelves. Wells & Co have been brewing a number
senior brewer Darren who was behind the revival of Rare of different collaboration beers around the country while their new brewery is being
Hare. Luckily the bar was under shelter with enough room completed, and due to the success of Copy Cat, they have requested that they repeat
for most of the punters. Not so lucky were those wishing the collaboration with Bath Ales early in 2020.
to see and hear the nine musical acts, playing stoically
from midday to 9pm, as they were standing in the open air. Bottled Wild Hare, now certified by Coeliac UK and released as gluten-free, was
However, sustenance was provided by a pizza company, awarded a Gold in the 5% to 5.9% ale category in the British Bottlers Institute annual
a pork barbecue and an ice cream seller, and face painters competition, and bottled Lansdown won Gold in the 4% to 5.4% IPA category. Gem
were on hand to entertain the children. Happily, the was awarded a Bronze medal at the International Beer Challenge (IBC) in the ale
rain eased off in the afternoon which made for a jollier below 5% category. “The IBC is widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious beer
atmosphere, and more milling around outside; and made competition and it is now in its 23rd year,” so they say themselves. Bath Ales are
the ride home bearable, suitably fortified by the fine ales already planning next year’s seasonal programme, and will soon be working on the
tasted! Although I wasn’t there to enjoy it, ‘Cheers to specials to be brewed for this year’s Celtic Beer Festival, held at St Austell’s brewery on
Beer’ was celebrated at 7pm by those that were (pictured the last weekend in November. Incidentally St Austell Brewery has brewed a one-off
below). As a bonus £1 from each ticket sold was donated beer in support of Long Live the Local, the campaign to save the Great British pub. The
to St Austell’s Charitable Trust, which raises money for beer, Long Live the Local, will be used at events to campaign for petition signatures,
local organisations and individuals in need. A note for your calling the government to relieve pubs of rising tax pressures at the upcoming budget.
diaries: the next Hare Fest has been programmed for 13th The IPA’s red hue is inspired by the Chancellor’s iconic red Budget box.
June 2020.
Expansion already
J ust over a year in the new premises and already the brewing capacity has been
increased! Since the last Pints West, four new fermenting vessels (FVs) have been
commissioned, fabricated and installed, and are due to enter production by the
time you read this. Each FV can hold 32,000 litres and so is twice as big as each of
the original FVs, giving in total 16 more brews or an increase of, give or take, 60%
capacity. Bath Ales have also taken on two brewing apprentices who will follow an
accredited course, including block release at Nottingham University, leading to a Level
4 Apprenticeship Qualification which includes a Certificate in Brewing.
Roy Sanders
6 PINTS WEST PINTS WEST 7
Taking a look at the local
cider-making scene BAD Ladies
Rail Ale Ramble along the Severn Beach line
Cider in B
ristol and District (BAD) Ladies are a group of women CAMRA
members who love beer and who meet once every couple of
Wrington
months or so to socialise and discover the world of beer (or
occasionally cider) together.
Our day out in June used the Severn Beach railway line to discover
pubs from the far west to the centre of Bristol. After spending the
M
grand sum of £3 for a return ticket that allows you to get on and off
any reading this will know of Wrington, to the south-west
at stations along the route, our first stop was Shirehampton station
of Bristol airport, because of the nearby presences of the
where we walked for a couple of minutes to reach the Lamplighters
Butcombe and Twisted Oak breweries. Less well known is
(Station Road, BS11 9XA). The pub was acquired by St Austell in
the fact that it is also the home of the Barley Wood cidery. This cider
January and saw a change in management due to retirement in March,
and apple juice-making operation is part of the Barley Wood Walled
so we were interested to see what the pub was like now.
Garden complex, which also includes the Ethicurean Restaurant, a café
and an assortment of artists (walledgarden.co.uk). The cidery is run by
On the Saturday afternoon we visited there was a lot going on outside
Mike Atkins and Isy Schulz. Mike is a mathematician and has a PhD in
as both the front and back gardens were being refurbished. Inside the
particle physics. Isy is a chef and also runs a catering business.
beer offer was limited to St Austell/Bath Ales choices and, surprisingly,
we seemed to finish off their barrels for them quite quickly! The two
They use the 60 or so varieties of apples present in the garden, all
stand out-choices were Liquid Sunshine (3.9%), St Austell’s seasonal
unsprayed with chemicals, plus apples from older orchards and
early summer golden ale, and Gem Gold (4.1.%), Bath Ales' limited
donations from people in the surrounding area to produce a number
edition offering. If you’d like to join in with us, then our remaining events for 2019 are
of blends of both juice and cider. The varieties of apples include
some classics such as Yarlington Mill, Dabinett, Harry Masters Jersey, listed below. The events take place on Saturday afternoons. There
The trains run along this line every 40 minutes or so, so after a sedate is no need to book these – just come along. To find out more please
Tom Putt, Browns, Somerset Redstreak, Chisel Jersey and Porters
pint and cheeky half, we got back on the train and to reach our next contact me, Bianca, on 0772 302 0223, or check out the branch web
Perfection among others. The cidery has been set up in a large round
destination, Clifton Down station. The original station building is now page www.camrabristol.org.uk/ladies.html, or follow us on Twitter @
log cabin which reduces extremes of temperature owing to its natural
Steam (Whiteladies Gate, BS8 2PN), a bar that is known to be popular CAMRA_BADLadies.
insulation. The press is a large manual affair, with the cog mechanism
with students (and of course others). We were all pleasantly surprised
at the top dating back 200 years or so. It will take about half a tonne
at the six pumps providing a great range of beers and the comfortable September 14th. Fishponds foray. 14:00 - 18:00. Meet at the Star,
of pulp and produces about 300 litres of juice per pressing. In total,
surroundings. There was enough beer style choice to satisfy those Fishponds Road, BS16 3AF. Learn more about this part of north east
slightly less than 7,000 litres is produced. The cider is fermented using
of us who only drink cask as well as those who enjoy craft keg. Sat Bristol which hosts several microbreweries and two micropubs.
the natural yeasts present in the juice and no sulphites are used.
outside under a canopy on a set of squishy sofas, the surprise beer
and main talking point was Sweet Mary Jane (3.5%), described as a November 30th. Historic Bristol The Centre. 14:00-18:00. Meet at
Apple trees can be rather inconsistent in cropping so there isn’t a
milkshake pale from Ilkley in collaboration with Tiny Rebel. Comments the Christmas Steps, Christmas Steps, BS1 5BS.
“standard” blend. Rather, the blending is done after pressing in order
Mike and the cidery ranged from “well it isn’t horrible” to “I really like this, not too sweet, Bianca Ambrose
to get the desired characteristics. Some of the product goes out in the
with a really interesting cinnamon flavour” to a considered “mmm …
form of bag-in-box but a lot is also bottled, some bottle-conditioned.
well balanced, there seems to be milk, vanilla, cinnamon and citrus
Bottling enables entry into shops and restaurants, an increasingly
to lift it”. We also enjoyed Ekuanot Another GF Beer (5%),a gluten-
important market in the cider world.
free beer from Arbor Ales which we thought was “easy drinking, not
overly hoppy, not overly distinguished” and Session IPA (4.8%) from
Mike and Isy are very welcoming and they have set up tables outside
Cocksure.
so that people can come and relax over a pint or two of cider, either
bottled or sparkling draught. They have been opening on weekend
Back on the train our last station hop of the day was to Montpelier
afternoons during the summer (Saturdays 1 to 8pm, Sundays 1 to
where we found a short-cut footpath that took us to the Cadbury
6pm), and they say they will also be open most of the week during the
(Richmond Road, BS6 5EW). This pub has existed since the 1880’s, an
autumn when they are busy picking and pressing apples. It may be
attractive half-timbered building; we really loved the garden here. Our
worth checking first though. Their web site is barleywoodorchard.co.uk
final beer comparison rated YuLu by Siren, a 3.6% American pale ale,
and their Facebook page can be found by searching for “Barley Wood
Bristol Beer Factory's Sub Tropic (4.4%) and Good Chemistry's Fools
Orchard”. They can also be contacted by phone on 07503 213 774.
Mate (3.8%), an easy-drinking English pale ale.
Martin Campling
For those of us who wanted just a bit more excitement, we wandered
round the block
to the recently
reopened Star
and Garter (Brook
Road, BS6 5LR).
The pub is stuffed
full of community
memorabilia
including DJ
Derek’s waistcoat
Make friends
and music case.
It was a trip down
memory lane and
with an Otter
a welcome return
for this important
local. We finished off
our trip here with a
refreshing stalwart
from Arbor Ales, 01404 891 285 otterbrewery.com
Isy levelling the apple pulp prior to pressing Mosaic, a 6.8% IPA.
8 PINTS WEST PINTS WEST 9
A5 Generic Ads x 6.indd 2 07/02/2017 16:03
The Shakespeare, News from Dawkins Ales
Prince Street F
or the first time the brewery hosted a stand at CAMRA’s Great
British Beer Festival at Olympia in August showcasing four cask
beers including Foresters Black – the stout that was not only
beer of the festival here in Bristol last year but voted the same at
W
ant an ale house Nick has used local Salisbury BeerX this year. The beers were very well received (Bristol
with tons of history brewers like Dawkins, Blonde being the first to sell out by the Friday) and Glen Dawkins said
and near the city Box Steam and GWB, it was amazing to be part of the hurly-burly of this iconic event.
centre? The Shakespeare to name but a few.
Tavern in Prince Street, Nick frequently asks By the time you’re reading this the eighth East Bristol Brewery Trail will
central Bristol is ready to his customers what ale have been and gone. Held twice a year over the May and August Bank
serve you. they like to see on the Holiday weekends, this – the brainchild of Good Chemistry Brewing in
bar and if they can get St Phillips – is a family-friendly celebration of malt and hops with five
The Shakespeare was first it into the pub they will. independent microbreweries rolling up their shutters to the public with
built as a quayside mansion in Previous casks have also music, food and of course beer! This summer Arbor Ales were having
the 17th century, and in 1766 included Hanlons Port some work done at their site so they were hosting a pop-up bar for
it became an inn. Many of Stout (brewed outside them in near-neighbours Dawkins brewery grounds. The Dawkins tap
the original features are still of Exeter). The Shake- itself continues to open Fridays and Saturdays 4pm to 8pm.
visible to this day, from the speare has seven real
coving in the snug bar to the ale pumps and normally New Dawkins head brewer Will is enjoying getting to grips with
panelling and grand staircase stocks Greene King IPA, his new domain. A New Zealander (so expect to see more of their
and the old wood flooring Abbot Ale and St Austell Tribute as constants. The four remaining sticks amazing hops in future!) he was assistant to previous brewer Dave for
that gives the pub its vintage are used to rotate guest beers and can feature anything from within a 18 months so is well versed. After several great years Dave himself is
charm. 100-mile region. He has since added a porter or stout to the range due off to new adventures with sour beer specialists Yonder Brewing and Glen Dawkins pulling pints at the Great British Beer Festival
to popular demand and these are Nick’s personal favourites; recently Dawkins wishes him well. To keep things easy there is a ‘new Dave’ at
The Shakespeare is close to the M Shed and Queen Square and is made Plain Ales Inncognito featured. the brewery – new recruit Dave to assist the small brewery team. weekend of the month with a collection get-together at the brewery in
up of two appealing rooms. At the front of the pub there is a pleasant Easton. As the hops (in past years yields per grower have ranged from
outside drinking area with bench seating. The plot of land to the rear Ales are now a big focus at the Shakespeare and, due to Nick’s keen One of Will’s first new brews is the latest version of Friese-Greene, thimbles-worth to kilos!) are wet the beer has to be brewed within
of the pub, just off the Floating Harbour, is understood to be owned by aspirations, there are many events coming up. In October they are the beer brewed in association with their friends at local movie days before they wilt and the volatile aromas dissipate.
another brewery so cannot be used by customers of the Shakespeare. hosting a real ale festival that will feature a range of ales per week. society ‘South West Silents’. William Friese-Greene was a Bristolian
early pioneer of film. The launch of the beer is on his birthday, 7th Commercial hops are dried at source so provide stability and
They will provide customers with booklets to write notes and beer
September at the Victoria Ale House in Clifton, a stone’s throw from measurements of alpha acids, etc, but as with anything processing
We are led to believe that the Shakespeare is the longest continuous scores in. There will be competitions and prizes for those who aim to
his studio near the Victoria Rooms. This one uses new UK Olicana hops can take out some flavours – even if as a brewer one is unsure how
serving ale house in Bristol (as it says so on the wall as you walk in) due try them all. Four meet-the-brewer nights will be hosted on Thursdays
bred to have New World-style fruit characteristics. it will turn out. Easton Promise varies each year – that’s part of the
to no license breaks, and has one of Bristol’s grandest facades. John for you to come and sample the beers as well as take the opportunity
excitement – but expect a mid-strength golden, fruity beer, with a
Strahan was the architect who also designed Redland High School and to cross a couple off in the book. 19th to 29th September sees national Cask Ale Week and the time limited-edition run launched during Cask Ale Week and a small number
Frampton Court at Frampton on Seven in Gloucestershire. The pub is for the brewery’s annual green hop beer Easton Promise. For the of bottles a few weeks later.
steeped in history and apparently once had an alley entrance that was The main aim for the pub is to really reestablish itself as a place to have fourth year over a hundred local amateur hop growers forming the
named 'knicker alley' where ladies of the night supposedly met sailors fantastic local real ales as well as a great atmosphere and simple pub East Bristol Hops collective will crop their harvests in the second Finally, there will be a Dawkins tap takeover at the Watershed on
after a long day’s work. The Shakespeare hasn’t had many licensees in food. Nick has made great strides at the pub. I don’t suppose Nick will Bristol’s Harbourside from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 October as part of
its time with only around 30 in its long history. One tenant, according stay at the Shakespeare for 42 years but I hope he does stay around for the Watershed’s annual ‘Ale Celebration’.
to historian Leonard Mott, stayed there for an impressive 42 years. A the long term.
few historical items have recently been found whilst refurbishing areas Pete Bridle Advertise in Pints West
TAPROOM
of the pub, from Victorian boots in the eves to shackles in the cellar 10,000 copies printed quarterly and distributed to
behind the walls. hundreds of pubs throughout the region
Also available on-line at
NOW
Nick Ashby took over in November 2018 and has since diversified the
range of real ales and ensured the ales are of top quality. Having man- www.bristolcamra.org.uk
aged sites up and down the country for Greene King he has used his Contact: steve.plumridge.pintswest@gmail.com
knowledge to almost double the Shakespeare’s real ale take making it
account for 35% of weekly sales, up from only 20% when he took over.
At 25 Nick is one of the youngest managers in the company and is a
real ale enthusiast. This is one of the reasons he decided to take on
Ale Celebration
at the Watershed
this busy site. He has a new team that are passionate about ales and
always want to 'sample' the newest additions before selling. On my
PEN
visits the staff have always been polite and friendly and happy to talk
F
about the beers on offer.
or the fourth year running, the Watershed on Bristol’s
Harbourside will be having an ‘Ale Celebration’ from Monday 2
September until Sunday 24 November, which they describe as
“a showcase of some of the South West’s finest local brewers as we
savour the delights of all things ale.”
It kicks off on Wednesday 4 September with a tasting event in the
bar from 7pm to 8pm featuring brewers Dawkins, Stroud, Butcombe,
Twisted, and St Austell and Bath Ales, who will all be bringing in free
samples for people to try (with 20% off ales from behind the bar for
the rest of the evening). There will also be representatives from all the
breweries who’ll be around ready to answer any questions about their
products or just to have a chat about all things ale.
And over the coming months there will be offerings from Stroud
Brewery (Monday 9 to Sunday 15 September), Butcombe (Monday 23
to Sunday 29 September), Dawkins (Monday 7 to Sunday 13 October),
Twisted (Monday 21 to Sunday 27 October), Bath Ales and St Austell
(Monday 4 to Sunday 10 November), who will all be having their
own tap takeover weeks, during which they’ll take over all five of the
Watershed’s ale taps.
10 PINTS WEST PINTS WEST 11
Wiper & True adopt a can-do approach A street festival with a beer festival
A at each end!
fter careful consideration of the various issues surrounding the shelves is important. Although
glass vs metal (or bottle vs can) debate concerning how best they will be the new kids on
s M i c r
to package their small-pack beer, Wiper & Tue (W&T) have the block as far as canned beer
F hu m o Pub
taken the major decision to switch from bottles to cans. Their final is concerned, the distinctive
C
bottling run took place at the beginning of August and, following the branding W&T have used on or those who don’t know the annual event held in Chandos
installation of a canning line, canned beer will be available from mid- their bottles since 2012 will Road in Redland, this year’s extravaganza on Sunday 22nd
September in both 330ml and 440ml formats. Bottles will still be used transfer well to the can format. September promises to be a great discovery for those who like
occasionally in the future for special releases. The front of each label features street festivals. In addition to the numerous and diverse stalls, as well
You can hardly have failed to notice the recent proliferation of
the brewery name in large black as entertainment, two beer festivals are being staged by the two pubs
located at each end of the street. The street itself will be closed from
FREE HOUSE Est. 2016
letters above one of a series of illustrations (icons) in gold, one for each
craft beer in cans in the fridges of local pubs/bars and “bottle
shops” such as Bottles & Books (Gloucester Road, Horfield), Corks
type of beer depicting an example of how mankind has harnessed 8am to 8pm with the festival starting at 12 noon and ending at 6pm. 22 Chandos Road, Redland
nature for its own gain, the concept originating from the fact that
of North Street (Bedminster) and the Beer Necessities (Cargo 2, fermentation is a natural process that we have harnessed from as early Some 25 stalls will include arts and crafts (pottery, drawing, prints), Bristol BS6 6PF
Wapping Wharf). Although cans have some distinct advantages as the Neolithic period. Although their iconic branding has served vintage and customised clothing, and bric-a-brac, as well as food.
over bottles as a portable package for beer, they have long been them well to date, it will be getting a bit of a refresh alongside the can Nourishment will also be available from the many cafés, bars and
associated with mass-market, mainstream brands stacked high launch, so look out for some new icons. restaurants located on the street. Entertainment will be prolific, T. 0117 973 1498
and sold low in supermarkets. However, technical developments in ranging from six bands playing on the main music stage at the bottom
the cans themselves and canning equipment have now opened up Talking of the can launch, this will take place at the brewery in St of the street, an acoustic stage halfway up the street and a DJ event www.chumsmicropub.co.uk
this packaging option for smaller breweries like W&T. As with many Werburghs on Saturday 14th September to coincide with the second
developments in the craft beer industry, the US brewers have led the Bristol Breweries Open Doors Day. This will also mark the beginning of
at the top end, to activities for children including a puppet show, face email: chumsbristol@gmail.com
painting and games.
way in this area; Oskar Blues brewery in the US is credited with being the latest Bristol Beer Week.
the first to package craft beer in cans in the early 2000s with their Closest to the main music stage Chums micropub, CAMRA pub of the Winner
Other news from W&T is that the tap room at the brewery is now
Dale’s Pale Ale. Following the resounding success of this approach year in 2018, will be holding its fourth annual beer festival. In fact, this Bristol & District
across the pond, the UK has followed suit in recent years and many open every Sunday (12-5), when you can purchase a take-away meat Pub of the Year
or vegetarian Sunday lunch at Popti & Beast, located just around the will start on Friday 20th September from 12 noon to 11pm, continue
of our favourite craft beers are now widely available in their full metal through Saturday at the same times, and end on the street festival
2018
jacket. corner from the brewery, to eat at
the tap room. This is in addition day, opening from 12 noon until 9pm. Eighteen ales and ten ciders
Aluminium cans are superior to crown-capped glass bottles for to the regular Friday (5-10) and will be available mostly from local brewers, with sustenance provided
maintaining the quality of beer as they are opaque, thus preventing Saturday (1-10) opening. by landlord Mark Farrell’s famous cheese rolls and ham rolls. A large
degradation from harmful UV light, and they are hermetically sealed, selection of gins is always available, as well as a choice of wines. Mark Good Measure holds regular tap takeovers, with Burning Sky following
thus preventing oxidation due to air ingress. Provided they are held Finally, following the departure will be donating 10p from each pint sold to the West of England MS on 25th October, as well as events such as the successful ‘Women in
in refrigerated storage, cans provide the best means of ensuring earlier this year of former head Therapy Centre. Beer’ evening organised by Kelly Sedgwick, Good Chemistry’s co-
that small-pack beer is as fresh as the brewer intended, this being brewer Will Hartley (pictured), as owner.
particularly true for hoppy beers as “hops fade fast”. In addition to reported in the last edition of Pints A quick stagger towards Hampton Road on the same side of the street
beer quality, another strong argument for aluminium cans over glass West, he has recently taken on leads to The Good Measure who will be holding their first beer festival, I thoroughly recommend the street festival as a must-do event, and
bottles is from a sustainability perspective due to their cumulative the role of head brewer at Bedlam having opened after last year’s street festival was held. On festival now that there are three festivals in one, it’s choose your own phrase
environmental impact; they are approximately 50% lighter to brewery, a solar-powered brewery day they will have an outside bar, complete with table and chairs, from the following: a bit of an imperative, a no-brainer, what’s not to
transport, which greatly reduces their carbon footprint, and aluminium located on a farm near Brighton. selling owner brewery Good Chemistry’s beer and lager. In the garage like!
is 100% and infinitely recyclable. Finally, the long-held perception that Good luck to Will in his new role. opposite a DJ will be spinning the grooves (or whatever the latest hip Roy Sanders
Dave Graham phrase is) should anybody wish to get up and go dancing in the street.
canned beer will take on a metallic flavour may have been true in the
past but modern production techniques, such a coating the inside of Inside will be a selection of ales, all from Bristol breweries. Food will
be available from Liam, chef at the Hillgrove Porter Stores, who will be
Some other
the can with a water-based polymer lining, ensures the beer never
comes in contact with the aluminium. As with bottled beer, canned introducing a new menu at The Good Measure from 12th September,
beer is best enjoyed when lovingly poured into a glass so you can fully coinciding with a tap takeover by Verdant Brewery.
beer festivals
appreciate its appearance and aroma ... and avoid your mouth coming
in contact with the can. Although the vibe in each of the above pubs is very different, both
ascribe to selling good quality beer as a basis for customer satisfaction
You can also not have failed to notice the eye-catching designs on and community involvement. They are both thriving, open every day
many craft beer cans, with the package format providing a 360° canvas of the week, and holding activities such as a weekly quiz in the case The Gryphon in Colston Street, central Bristol (just up from the
for brewers to display artwork that wraps around the whole can. In a of The Good Measure, while Chums alternates a quiz with live music Colston Hall), is having another of its biannual beer festivals from
rapidly growing market, standing out from the crowd on the fridge every week. Chums also puts on live music at weekends whereas The Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 September. This, their 18th ‘MetAle Festival’,
will be showcasing 12 cask ales across the handpumps and stillage, five
keg beers, and a plethora of dark beers in bottles and cans.
Factoberfest takes place once again at the Tobacco Factory in North
Mumbles Brewery Mumbles Brewery S&D REAL ALE TRAIN Street, Bedminster, from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September, featuring 24
Enjoy nostalgic and atmospheric cask beers and lots of keg ales, lagers and ciders.
steam railway travel on our The 17th Chew Valley Beer & Cider Festival takes place on Friday
Supplier of award-wining ales popular Real Ale Train (RAT). 20 and Saturday 21 September in Ubley Parish Hall. See www.
chewvalleybeerfestival.co.uk.
to Bristol Free Houses – also MIDSOMER 12 noon – 4pm & 6pm – 10pm. The 19th Wedmore Real Ale Festival takes place Friday 20 to Sunday
available through our online shop NORTON £12 per session. Over 18's only. 22 September, opposite the village hall carpark in Glebe Field, Manor
Lane, Wedmore. See wedmorerealale.co.uk.
Price includes train rides, your first pint of beer,
tasting notes and a souvenir acrylic glass. The The Civic Trowbridge (located in St Stephen’s Place) are having
their second annual Beer & Cider Festival on September 28. See
Buffet will be open for snacks and hot & cold thecivictrowbridge.co.uk/tc-events/the-civic-beer-cider-festival-2019.
drinks.Tickets available from the station in Silver Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival at the National Cricket Training
01792 792612 01792 792612 St, Midsomer Norton BA3 2EY Sunday 10am – Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Wednesday 16 October trade and
CAMRA members only evening. Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 October
4pm and Monday 1pm – 4pm; from the Redan Inn, open to all. See gwbcf.info.
www.mumblesbrewery.co.uk www.mumblesbrewery.co.uk Chilcompton; or from our website, www.sdjr.co.uk. Cheltenham Real Ale Festival will be returning to the magnificent
SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER surroundings of the Princess Hall at Cheltenham Ladies’ College on
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November. See cheltenhamcamra.org.uk/craf.
12 PINTS WEST PINTS WEST 13
Shine on the Bristol-Bath Railway Path
B
ristol promotes itself as very much ‘A Cycling City’, with cycle
lanes on many major roads in and around the city and miles of
dedicated cycle tracks elsewhere.
One of the most famous is the Bristol-Bath Railway Path. A 13-mile off-
road route, it begins in the middle of Bristol, and heads north towards
Fishponds. Through the Staple Hill tunnel and you find yourself in
South Gloucestershire, and then into rural Bath & North East Somerset
towards Saltford and eventually on to Newbridge in Bath.
The path has stop-off points throughout its length so there is no
shortage of places to rest up for a beer. This is where the Whatpub
website (whatpub.com) and CAMRA Good Beer Guide mobile app come
in handy. Wherever you feel like stopping, just use one of these to find
the nearest pub to where you are, filtered by whatever you look for in a
pub. But here are some pubs I enjoy visiting.
We should be clear here that cycling under the influence of alcohol or The Hollybush - 29 Bath Road, Bridgeyate, BS30 5JP The Jolly Sailor - Mead Lane, Saltford, BS31 3ER
drugs is an offence, so please drink responsibly when saddling up. The
below pubs are not intended to be visited as a ‘crawl’. A Victorian roadside inn that reopened in 2014 after a really long This is a gorgeous
on here, including Bath Ales Gem and St Austell Tribute and, when I period closed, derelict and endangered. These days it’s a very popular building which for a while
The path officially begins at St Philips Road, not far from Old Market visited, Young’s Bitter and Wickwar BOB as guests. pub among diners and drinkers alike. Plenty of room for your bike to seemed like it would be
but also about a three-minute cycle from ... the side, and lots of outdoor seating. There’s a dedicated dining area in permanently converted
From Fishponds, the railway path heads due east through the old the conservatory to the right, and a welcoming bar with wooden floors to a restaurant but is
The Barley Mow - 39 Barton Road, St Philips, BS2 0LF Staple Hill Railway Tunnel and into South Gloucestershire. With and high tables at which to perch. thankfully now thriving in
Rodway Common up to your left, the cycle path comes to the remains as a riverside pub. There
of Mangotsfield Station. Typically you’ll be offered Thatcher’s Stan’s Big Apple traditional cider are racks for your bike at
as well as a guest, and three to four real ales, one of which is almost the front and you can sit
Here, the path forks. To the right is the route to Bath, and to the left always Butcombe Original. But a good selection of guests here on my in the rear garden or even
is the path of the old Midland Railway which once went all the way to visit were Prescott Pit Stop, Box Brewery’s Paddler Ale, and Crocodile walk across the lock gates
Birmingham. We’ll take the diversion, but only as far as Shortwood. Tears from the Parkway Brewery down in Somerton. and relax on an island in
The cycle path actually runs on the West Side of the ring road (the the middle of the river.
railway was on the east side), but you can hop up onto the bridge at Wind your way back to the cycle path, and head south past the old It’s a Wadworth pub so expect three or four beers from their stable.
Shortwood and across to ... Oldland Common Railway Station and the Avon Valley Railway at Swordfish, Horizon, IPA and 6X were all on tap when I visited. Food is
Bitton and then you’re on the most beautiful section of the path as you available till 9pm.
The Bridge Inn - Main Road, Shortwood, BS16 9NG traverse the countryside over the River Boyd and the meandering Avon
until you reach Saltford, and two fine pubs indeed.
The Bird in Hand - 58 High Street, Saltford, BS31 3EJ
Also only a three-minute ride from Temple Meads station if you are
combining cycling with public transport, this is a great pub to meet at
before setting off. A Georges Brewery pub before Queen Victoria came
to the throne, this was the Duke of York for over 150 years before being
renamed. Now, it’s a Bristol Beer Factory pub that retains much of its
old charm, but with a modern twist. It’s family friendly, and there’s a
garden to the rear. Food is very popular here including a lovely Sunday
roast, and there are usually six to eight real ales on at a given time –
three or more from Bristol Beer Factory, plus a variety of guest beers.
There are also numerous keg beers. This pub is a real find; it has been
popular with CAMRA members for many years now, and is the current From the path at Saltford you can head off into Bath, whose riverside
Bristol & District pub of the year. Thought to have been built late in the 19th century to house workers pubs are covered far more eruditely than I could manage in Martin
on the Midland railway – remnants of Mangotsfield North station are Ansell’s piece elsewhere in this issue.
Turn left into Midland Road then right into St Philips Road and you’re visible at the bottom of the hill – this is a cracking locals’ boozer that Duncan Shine
off and riding. Through Newtown Park and under St Philips Causeway is nonetheless very welcoming of cyclists, joggers and other groups. Clearly visible from the path, this is perhaps the most popular stop-off
and on past Lawrence Hill and Whitehall to Fishponds, where you can There’s a picturesque porch at the front, and garden areas to the for cyclists, as the rear garden of the pub is directly accessible from
slip on to New Station Road just before the Royal Mail Delivery Office. side and rear. Again, ample room to rest the velocipede. The Bridge the path and there are railings set aside for bicycles. There are also
Take New Station Road a hundred yards north and on your left you’ll has been known for many years as a cider pub, and usually you’ll find petanque pistes and a terraced rear garden.
see ... Thatcher’s Stan’s Cheddar Valley and Traditional as well as Taunton
Traditional on offer. There are also two real ales on tap, usually Bass Food is available throughout the day, and there is a sheltered
The Railway Tavern - Station Road, Fishponds, BS16 3SG and one from the Sharp’s Brewery. No food other than snacks but conservatory with lovely views of the hills north of the river. There’s
children welcome. usually a traditional cider on, as well as four real ales. Butcombe
Unsurprisingly, both the pub and its address are a throwback to the Original and Doom Bar are always available, but the guest ales change
railway path, as Fish Ponds (yep, two words) station was just before Head back the way you came to Mangotsfield station, and then turn frequently, with Parkway’s Session IPA and Electric Bear Werrrd! on tap
where you just left the cycle path. Nowadays it’s a rambling local pub sharp right to head out towards Bath. The cycle path will take you up when I visited.
with a garden and plenty of room to rest your bike. Food is available over the ring road before you head on past the old Warmley Station (be
during the day, and the place is explicitly family-friendly up until careful as you do have to cross the A420 here). A little further, and seek It’s also worth heading under the cycle path and along the side of the
around 6pm. They usually have the football on if you are planning to out the exit to Thirlmere Court on your left, then go via Windermere river to ...
pause a Sunday ride to watch the match. Usually three of four real ales Way and Poplar Road and before you know it you’re at ...
14 PINTS WEST PINTS WEST 15
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